What a night we had at the Puppetry Fracas! If you weren't there, you missed out on a mix of puppet styles and narratives. We had the poignant. We had the quirky. We had the comedic. We even had a dark commentary on Life!

Thank you to Blackhole Theatre Inc, who travelled up from Melbourne to organise the first puppetry slam in Sydney to a packed house! Well done! You definitely chose the right performers (yes, yes, I was one of them as well with my Press Conference improv puppet, "Furry O'Barrell") to entertain the broad spectrum audience.

There was video taken as well, so as soon as I get the link, I'll post it up and write more about the acts. However, for now, here's some teaser pics!

Stay tuned for a couple of new workshops, where YOU pay what you want!

The last show was filled with laughs and enough 'zooming' to get you 'swooning'! SKETCH is coming back again by popular demand!

You've seen game based comedy improv like 'Whose Line Is It Anyway' and 'Improvaganza'. You love the unexpected mini scenes but you want something with more story. You want art. You want story. You want something more than just gags. You want theatre.

SKETCH is a new improvised show from the team of 'Improv in the Arcade' and 'Impromance' which delves into the more theatrical scene work of improv. It's improvised theatre which will either make you laugh or cry. It might be whimsical. It might be dramatic.

The only certainty is that all the scenes will be inspired by the artwork created 30 minutes before the show starts (5pm) by the amazing artists in the Pop-Up Parramatta initiative. But what about you? The last scene will be inspired by the collective artwork by YOU, the audience!

And if you like the artwork, you can purchase it after the show direct from the artist!So are you ready for some improvised theatre?

For more details please contact us either via Facebook or contacting us here.

"Yesterday we had a truly remarkable improv show at our studio, performed by the talented trio Ivan, Cindy and Jason. Each performance was inspired by an artwork previously unseen to the actors, and they developed intricate, funny and sometimes dramatic stories on the spot, full of twists and turns. Thanks to artwork by Tam Cao, Nam Nguyen and Mary Tamras, for creating a wonderful springboard for the stories and congrats to Ivan Chew - IYL, Cindy and Jason for a memorable afternoon!"

- Susan Wang, Susan Wang Photography, Pop-Up Parramatta Artist.

With an amazing show and awe struck audience switching from laughter to seriousness, SKETCH is coming back again this year!

You've seen game based comedy improv like 'Whose Line Is It Anyway' and 'Improvaganza'. You love the unexpected mini scenes but you want something with more story. You want art. You want story. You want something more than just gags. You want theatre.

SKETCH is a new improvised show from the team of 'Improv in the Arcade' and 'Impromance' which delves into the more theatrical scene work of improv. It's improvised theatre which will either make you laugh or cry. It might be whimsical. It might be dramatic.

The only certainty is that all the scenes will be inspired by the artwork created 30 minutes before the show starts (5pm) by the amazing artists in the Pop-Up Parramatta initiative. But what about you? The last scene will be inspired by the collective artwork by YOU, the audience!

And if you like the artwork, you can purchase it after the show direct from the artist!So are you ready for some improvised theatre?

It's been quite a year since my humble beginnings with the goal to teach improv as skills to be used at work, life and at school. Combining both storytelling to captivate the audience (both theatrical and corporate), and "no fear" creativity (i.e. improv), I've been able to grow on existing clients and students happy with my service. Loving it!

But I can't do it all myself, so here's a thank you to those who've helped and were forward thinking to use my services:

Pop-Up Parramatta

Parramatta Council

Department of the Attorney General and Justice

Loutky Puppets

Westfield Mount Druitt

The Work-Shop

Medical and Corporate Actors

The Pop-Up Parramatta and Artists

My students in the "Socially Improvised" and "Improv for Beginners" workshops

The kids that threw themselves into it with learned fast-thinking and consequently shrinking shyness, and

The audience for each and every show, be it the "Improv in the Arcade" or other formats like, "SKETCH".

THANK YOU!

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR - remember besides the "Yes, and.." that "...the most important person is your scene partner...", which are the people that you care for around you. Stay safe!

P.S. I'll be taking a short break over the next few days, but will be back on the Monday 06 January 2014 with some FREE improv workshops for kids as part of the Parramatta Riverside activities. I hope to see you there! In the meantime, feel free to contact me with any queries for the new year.

Well, if you weren't at 'SKETCH: Art Inspired Improv' last Saturday (07/12/13) then you missed out on a great show!

It had drama, intrigue, comedy and even a commentary on social concepts, all based on the artwork provided by the talented artists in the Pop-Up Parramatta program. Of course, the quick sketches by the audiences didn't go to waste either; who could forget Towel Man, Ping Pong the Panda and the coming of age story of a man speaking through his puppet due to his shyness?

So you want to run an event but you're on a tight budget. Or maybe you've got your concept but don't know how to start. It doesn't matter - you can still do it! Whether it be a fashion show, theatre show or a product launch, all you have to do is have the skills, drive and an innovative mind!

After being the production manager for the longest running improv comedy show from 2006 to 2009 in Glebe, having his own show in the Sydney Comedy Festival 2011, and sell out shows in both Epping and Parramatta over 12 months, Ivan will share with you tips on his successful events. Using a blend of project management, marketing skills and creativity, the seminar with be delivered in an informal, interactive and fun way.

$35 per attendee for 2 hours and handouts.

Click here to go to the Facebook Event page, else just click on the BOOKINGS tab on the left and get your seat there.

So, really, why am I running this seminar? Because I've heard from a number of people say to me that they have a great idea for an event but just either don't know where to begin or don't have the resources (be it people, props, location, money, etc) to run it.

You know what you need? Ingenuity and drive. I'll help provide the rest to get you started.

So get off your butt and do something about that thing you've been planning in your head and make it happen! Huzzah!

Wow! Last show went off! We played to a packed house! And we even made a song on the spot! I've still got that "Fantasy" song in my head..!

What? You don't know what I'm talking about?

Well, do like improv? Love shows like 'Whose Line Is It Anyway'? Looking for something to do on a Friday night in August?

Then come along and laugh your stressful week away! Be the inspiration for us!

A quick firing, improvised comedy show, all inspired from YOUR suggestions, IMPROV IN THE ARCADE is part of the Parramatta Pop-Up initiative.

Watch Sydney's amazing improv talent mixing it up with your ideas for love and laughs of the audience!

Well, we're doing it all again, but this time we've taken your advice! We're going straight through, baby! What does that mean?

It means that doors OFFICIALLY open at 7pm which will let you browse the shops and get your seats for half at hour before the show starts promptly at 7:30pm. Then we go straight through (except for a 5 minute or so toilet break) in between and then finish the show at 9pm! The shops will be open for another 30 minutes should you wish to browse and purchase something from the Pop-Ups as well. :)

Just remember that the entrance is opposite the park near the Parramatta Town Hall and that Westfield Paramatta has 3 hours of free parking.